Gospel of Mark Bible Part 48: The Value of a Soul [Bible Study]

Bible Study Title: The Value of a Soul

Scripture Focus Mark 8:36–37

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Introduction

In the preceding verses, Jesus confronts Peter for opposing the will of God and then explains the true cost of discipleship. Immediately following that call to self-denial, Jesus asks two piercing questions concerning profit and loss. These questions are rhetorical in form but surgical in purpose. Jesus is not seeking information, nor merely provoking emotion. He is exposing the covetousness of the human heart and forcing a reckoning with eternal value. What would a person be willing to surrender eternity itself to obtain?

By placing these questions directly after His teaching on discipleship, Jesus reveals a central truth. Your soul is the most valuable possession you have. No earthly gain, position, pleasure, authority, or power is worthy of exchange for it.

I. Why Is a Soul So Valuable?

A. The Soul Bears the Image of God

Human value begins with divine design.

Genesis 1:26–27 “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He

created them.”

God does not possess a physical body as man does.

John 4:24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Luke 24:39 “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

Being made in God’s image is not merely intelligence, creativity, morality, or even immortality. Those are important, but they are not central. To bear God’s image means humanity was created to belong to God, represent Him in His world, live under His authority, and faithfully extend His rule. Sin, therefore, is not only moral failure but vocational betrayal. Salvation is not only forgiveness but restoration to rightful service under the true King.

This understanding shapes how we view life, death, and eternity.

Though created beings, we are more than animals. God placed humanity in His creation as stewards.

Psalm 8:3–8 “When I see Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,The moon and the stars, which You have established;What is man that You remember him,And the son of man that You care for him?Yet You have made him a little lower than God,And You crown him with glory and majesty!You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;You have put all things under his feet,All sheep and oxen,And also the beasts of the field,The birds of the sky and the fish of the sea,Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.”

B. The Soul Can Be Changed for Eternity

The body is largely shaped by genetics and time. Aging and death are unavoidable. The soul, however, can be transformed.

Through repentance and faith in the gospel, a person’s character, desires, and eternal destiny are changed.

Romans 12:1–2 “Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Colossians 3:12–15 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another and graciously forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord graciously forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

The believer becomes a new creation. The old passes away.

C. The Soul Is Everlasting

The body returns to dust, but the soul does not cease.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”

The soul awaits resurrection in a new, imperishable body.

1 Corinthians 15:35–58

At death, believers are immediately with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8“But we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.”

Jesus confirmed this to the thief on the cross.

Luke 23:43“And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’”

There is no soul sleep, no purgatory, and no delay.

When Christ returns, believers receive glorified bodies.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

All humanity will stand before God in judgment.

Revelation 20:11–12

Those in Christ receive eternal life.

Romans 2:7

Those outside Christ receive wrath.

Romans 2:8–9

This reality demands evaluation of every possession, decision, and ambition through an eternal lens.

Matthew 10:28;Matthew 16:26

D. The Soul Was Purchased at an Incomprehensible Cost

1 Peter 1:18–19 “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

If the cost of redemption reveals value, then the soul is worth more than the world.

II. What Will You Exchange Your Soul For?

A. Wealth, Money, and Fame

1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Earthly wealth is corruptible and temporary.

Matthew 6:19–21

B. The Passing Pleasures of Sin

Scripture repeatedly warns that momentary indulgence produces lasting ruin.

Joseph fled temptation.

Genesis 39:7–9

Moses rejected power and prestige.

Hebrews 11:24–25

Daniel purposed holiness.

Daniel 1:8

C. False Teaching That Excuses Sin

Colossians 2:8, 18; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15

Neglect of Scripture leaves people vulnerable to deception.

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

D. Neglect and Spiritual Laziness

Some lose eternal reward not through rebellion, but neglect.

Matthew 25:24–30

Growth requires diligence.

2 Peter 1:5–11

Conclusion: Nothing Is Worth Your Soul

Jesus revealed what eternity teaches too late.

Luke 16:22–24 “Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’”

There was no relief. Only regret.

By contrast, the redeemed before the Lamb testify that nothing compares to being with Christ.

Revelation 7:13–17

Judgment is certain.

Acts 17:30–31

Revelation 20:10–15

Revelation 21:8

Jesus warned of hell repeatedly, not out of cruelty, but love. Nothing is worth your soul. Nothing.

Memory Verse

Mark 8:36

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